Briefly in English
The goal of the Model Country of Individualized Cancer Care initiative is to strengthen and promote Finland’s position as a pioneer of individualized cancer care and as an attractive research environment. The initiative was launched in 2016 and is coordinated by the Foundation for the Finnish Cancer Institute. Association of Cancer Patients in Finland joined the initiative in 2019 to bring a stronger patient perspective. The initiative has been supported from the beginning by six pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, and Takeda. Five new companies, AbbVie, Amgen, Bayer, Johnson & Johnson and Novartis, joined in during 2022-2024.
Objectives
The goal of the Model Country of Individualized Cancer Care initiative is to strengthen and promote Finland’s position as a pioneer of individualized cancer care and as an attractive research environment. Our goal is that Finland is known as a model country for individualized cancer treatment. The initiative has three main goals, all of which can be promoted by creating a national cancer strategy:
- Finnish cancer treatment is equal
Every cancer patient has fast and equal access to effective treatment, regardless of their abilities, hometown, or financial status. All cancer patients have equal opportunities to become part of cancer research.
- Effective treatment is quickly available in Finland
Cancer patients are offered the most individually suitable and effective treatment in a timely manner. A cancer patient benefits from the treatment and experiences the least possible harm caused by it. Finnish cancer treatment professionals have the opportunity to take advantage of new, innovative treatments that ensure top results in cancer treatment and maximum benefit for Finnish cancer patients.
- Finland offers a research environment that supports individual treatment
Finland offers an internationally unique operating environment for innovative drug development and research, which also makes it an internationally interesting partner. Breakthroughs made in basic cancer research will quickly benefit Finnish cancer patients. Versatile information collected from patients and registers is used to support treatment decisions, in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment and in medical research. Based on the individualized information, new types of diagnostic methods and treatments are also being developed.
Vision
Finnish cancer care is at the top level thanks to successful decisions and bold investments. Revolutionary new treatments and diagnostic methods are currently being developed, and by investing in them, Finland can be a model country for individualized cancer treatment. The national cancer strategy is a key tool.
This is how you do it
Finland needs a national cancer strategy to meet the challenges caused by the cancer burden. Registering this matter in the program of the next government is the key. The cancer strategy would meet the current and future challenges of cancer treatment.
- Allocating resources to the National Cancer Center so that it can develop uniform, up-to-date and public treatment pathways for cancer diagnostics and treatment.
- Increasing public funding for cancer research and ensuring sufficient human resources.
- Taking care of legislation enabling equal and individualized cancer research and treatment.
- Establishment of a national clinical register to evaluate the effectiveness of cancer treatment.
- Creation of a unified practice for evaluating the therapeutic and economic value of drugs, so that new effective drugs and treatment methods can be used more quickly for the benefit of cancer patients.
Contact information
Suomen Syöpäinstituutin säätiö sr
Tukholmankatu 8 (PL 20)
00290 Helsinki
mallimaa@mallimaa.fi
www.syopainstituutti.com